DISPOSABLE dishes???

[florezitta10]

Do you use them on a regular basis. I don't but I am seriously considering it I live in a very small house and there is always never ending dishes to wash. Since the house is so small it looks messy very fast with just a couple things out.

So do you use them everyday?

How much do you spend per week/month?

Is it worth it?

[strumcat]

I decided to do as much as I could to reduce the amount of garbage that comes out of my home, so disposable plates, cups, etc was the first thing I eliminated. I only have 4 glass plates, 4 glasses, 4 cups and 4 sets of silverware. That way things can't pile up too much or there's nothing clean to eat on! Seriously, I've barely taken my last bite before I wash my plate because I can't stand dishes in the sink. So either become obsessed, or reduce your quantity.

[home_teachin]

We use paper plates for some things. But other than that we use real dishes. If I could afford to use more disposable dishes I probably would. You know how many dishes kids go through. It's never ending.

[lancenweman1978]

i absolutely cannot stand disposable items. generally they are cheaply made, the mark-up is atrocious because they cater non-logical non-long-term usage.

one could argue the debate of water consumption to do the dishes versus disposing of one-use dishes.

i'd say if the dishes were made from starch or another biodegradable substance they may actually use less energy. ONLY if they are sustainably made and biodegradable.

but then again we get into the cost-basis discussion. Even if they are biodegradable, are they cost-effective?

at least you're thinking about it before you do it, and that is in itself the best decision :-)

[walksalone11]

The only time I ever had disposable dishes, other than for camping or other outdoor dining, was when my ex........no the one before that ex.....wouldnt do the dishes.
I tried to be understanding, but when I asked for a bowl because there were none in the cabinet, and she said you'll have to wash one, and when I pulled it up from the pile in the sink, it had stuff growing in it.

Needless to say after seeing that, I decided I didn't need a bowl any more and very calmly asked her to please do the dishes the next day.

When I got home from work the next day and the sinks were still full of dishes, I didn't say a word just gathered them all up into a box, walked to the back door and slung them across the yard.

Dee screamed "WHAT ARE YOU DOING???" in which I replied, "Did you happen to notice the pile of laundry I had to climb over to get to the door?

With out another word I went into the livingroom to read the newspaper while she started sorting laundry.

[cloudsoup]

the only disposable items i buy are paper plates, and a pack
usually lasts about a month, give or take. i like to use them
for lighter stuff... like sandwhiches, snacks, etc. i don't like
piling up the sink for some crumbs!

but regular dishes (even plastic ones) are a must have for
heavy or messy things. although, i could just get some of
those little paper plate wicker holder things, but i've never
been a fan for some reason?

at any rate, i like having paper plates around  

[florezitta10]

All great points I guess paper plates are like everything else in this world "good in moderation" lol I only use them when family comes over and I know i wont have enough dishes to serve them. On holidays to make less mess since we already have to deal with 20,000 pans of all sorts to wash lol.... 

[abstract1er]

paper plates are awesome!!!!!
not so green

[ODOMS6598]

I keep them around for when other people show up or when my dishwasher breaks.  I hate doing dishes by hand(I work in a school cafeteria, and we do alot of dishes during a normal day) so i dont want to come home and have to do them there as well.

[ancmetro]

  You should consider buying and using disposables dishes and cups. Eliminate all your regular plates: They are heavy and messy, take too much space and depending on the weight: they can injure your hands. You could sell your old plates in a garage sale next spring and summer.

[iDiedByCyanide]

I use them for things like making nachos or eating a few pretzels with mustard. For things like dinner or family breakfast, i use....glass plates.

[JessieKateRose]

My family uses real dishes pretty much always. When  move out on my own I think I will be doing the same for the sake of the environment and my wallet.

[Valerie1979]

we always use regular plates.
exceptions are really only birthday parties or family cook outs. 

We don't have dirty dishes laying around, we was them regularly and have an energy/water saver dishwasher which helps as well.

[mlbevins]

We use paper plates everyday.  We joke and call it the "fine china". 

[rogery]

I use them occasionally. When using the microwave or making a snack, a paper towel is often all that is needed.